Coach Plough on the Bye Week, Sac State, Rhode Island, & ESPN2 History

In this special post-Thanksgiving episode, Brock and Danny sit down with Head Coach Tim Plough to break down a massive week for UC Davis Football: the win over Sac State, the program’s second straight top-8 seed, the healing impact of the bye week, and the historic upcoming first-ever home ESPN2 playoff game at UC Davis.

The guys dive deep into:

• How the bye created space for rest, recovery, and much-needed family time

• Why the team desperately needed a reset after playing for weeks with only ~50 healthy players

• Why even though no major injured players are returning, the team feels rejuvenated and locked in

• Why Coach Plough calls it one of the greatest Causeway Classics ever

• The defensive masterclass vs. an explosive offense

• Caden Pinnick’s most poised, complete performance of the season

• Mitch & Jaden’s emotional trophy moment with Coach

• Why that win meant so much culturally, personally, and programmatically

• What national exposure means for UC Davis, the program, and recruiting

• Why this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase Shredville

• A direct call to students, alumni, parents, locals, and the Sacramento/Bay Area community:
  “Every seat matters. Don’t let this opportunity go to waste.”

• Alumni buying student tickets so the game can be free for students

• Strengths of Rhode Island’s offense: experienced QB, explosive receivers, slippery RB

• Defensive keys to slowing their QB’s improvisation

• Offensive keys for Davis: protect the ball, run efficiently, spread it out

• Why special teams will quietly be decisive

• How he’s balancing his natural playmaking with learning the offense

• Why his Sac State performance was a breakthrough

• What “four or five missing touchdowns per game” really means

• Why Coach believes Pinnick’s ceiling could be national-championship level

Coach Plough announces on the pod:

• ⭐ Sam Gbatu Jr. is officially returning for 2026

• ⭐ Grant Gerritsen is returning as well

• Why Sam’s decision reflects the culture UC Davis has built

• How these players could’ve chased big NIL elsewhere, but chose Davis

Coach Plough shares a powerful closing reflection on:

• Why he and his family sacrifice for this program

• What it means to represent every alum who ever wore the gold helmet

• Why the “army is growing”

• Why Saturday is a defining moment for UC Davis athletics

• UC Davis Student Tickets: Free (thanks to alumni donors)

• Saturday Kickoff: 7:00 PM PT — ESPN2 National Broadcast

• Location: Shredville (UC Davis Health Stadium)

Thank you to our generous sponsors, BPMNJ, Moon Real Estate Group, and Larison Real Estate